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The Proper Time to Wake Up

A person should be zealous in waking up early in the morning to serve Hashem. One should wake up early enough so that one will be able to prepare for davening and arrive at shul on time for Shacharit with a minyan. [1]

Many Achronim hold that one should "connect" the night and day with Torah by learning at the end of the night (which is the beginning of the day) and end of the day (which is the beginning of night). [2] However, those who do not keep to this practice have what to rely on. [3]

The Shulchan Aruch opens with the words “A person should be strong like a lion to stand up in the morning to serve one’s Creator.” Mishna Brurah comments that this is the purpose of man's creation. [4]

Correct Conduct of Waking up in the Morning

One should wake up strong like a lion to serve the will of the Creator. [5]

One should not get up immediately because it is compromising to one's health. One should rather pause momentarily and then get up. [6]Some say that one should wait the time it takes to say Modeh Ani. [7]

Making up One's Bed

Although one may not engage in work before praying in the morning, one may make one's bed. It is considered part of the normal morning routine and therefore not regarded as work.[8]

Being Conscious of Hashem's Presence

Some have the practice to hang up a poster in a glass case in Shul with an inscription of "Shiviti" (and sometimes the perek of Tehilim 67 "Lamnazeach Benginot" in the shape of a Menorah). However if it is not encased it is improper to keep it up. [16]

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Sources

↑ Shulchan Aruch 1:1 writes that one should be strong and arise early such that in effect one "awakens the dawn". Halacha Brurah 1:1 explains that dawn here means Olot HaShachar, and states that therefore Shulchan Aruch is saying one should wake up before Olot HaShachar. Rama 1:1 adds that one should certainly make sure not to wake up too late such that one misses davening with a minyan. Similarly, Kitzur S”A 1:5 writes that on the short nights of the year, when one cannot wake up so early, one should still wake up so that one has enough time to prepare to go to pray Shacharit with the congregation. Piskei Teshuvot 1:2 quoting Mishmeret Shalom 1:1 writes that there is a basis for the widespread practice to wake up later as long as one is insistent to wake up for davening with a minyan. Mishna Brurah 1:9 writes that one should wake up around a half hour before the time for davening in a minyan to give oneself enough time to prepare for davening.

↑ HaNetziv in Emek She'elah (Vetchanan 143:3) writes that the source of the Shelah is the Yerushalmi (first perek of Yoma) where it says one should learn two chapters during the morning and night to fulfill "VeHegita Bo Yomam VeLaylah". However, the Bavli in Menachot 99b says one should learn one chapter in the day and one at night. This implies that one need not learn specifically at the merging points of night and day, but can learn at any point during the day and at any point throughout the night, in order to have fulfilled one's chiyuv. Rav Ovadyah in Halichot Olam (Vayishlach 1:1) writes that those who do not follow the Shelah can rely on the Bavli.

↑Shulchan Aruch 1:1. Piskei Teshuvot 1:1 expands on this idea explaining that the Torah and Chazal used physical metaphors (i.e. lion) for spiritual tasks so that we can relate to the expressions used.

↑ Magen Avraham 1:3 says that even though one should get up strong like a lion to serve Hashem, one should not stand up immediately because it is dangerous. As is written in Gemara Gittin 70a. All achronim concur including the Mishna Brurah 1:8, Kaf HaChaim 1:4, and Halacha Brurah 1:1.

↑ This is first sourced in the Seder Hayom (Beginning of the book; Rabbi Makhir 16th century Tzfat) and then is quoted as halacha by all the achronim including Mishna Brurah 1:8, Chaye Adam 1:1, Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 1:4, Shulchan Aruch HaRav 1:6, Halacha Brurah 1:2.

↑ Rama 1:1 writes as the first comment in the book, that one should keep in mind the principle of "Shaviti". The Arizal's practice was to keep an inscription of Hashem's name before him always (Shaar Ruach HaKodesh 21). This is brought down by the Achronim including Bear Heteiv 1:3, Mishna Brurah 1:4, Kaf HaChaim 1:2, and Halacha Brurah 1:3.

↑ Shaarei Teshuva 1:3 in the name of the Tevuot Shor argues that one should nullify the practice of hanging up Klaf with Shiviti inscribed on it because people tend not to be careful enough to make sure it does not lead to a desecration of a holy script and possibly an erasing of Hashem's name. Shaarei Teshuva says that if it is covered by glass then this worry the Tevuot Shor mentions is no longer of concern. This is brought as Halacha by the Mishna Brurah 1:4.